You can roll the cookie dough ball bites in cocoa powder, nuts, or even dip them in more chocolate if you're feeling fancy.
Summer is officially upon us. The sun is out, we are starting to make good on summer plans, and the fun of juggling special summer activities is ever present and persistent.
And we still have to feed ourselves. And our children. Don't forget about The Children.
My kiddo loves helping me make food and I try to find things that he can help with that won't be a monumental effort on my part and will fuel him with goodness while he splashes, rides his bike, and burns a trillion calories in the sun. I'm also that mom who watches out for sugar intake and will offer a quasi-healthy snack over a sugar treat if possible. (If not, I don't stress. We've encouraged intuitive eating with my son since he was pretty tiny, and he typically will choose a well balanced diet with only minimal guidance from mom and dad.)
So, I am also that mom who makes "healthy" treats. Or as I like to call it, food. I make food. The key is to make things that taste good and also provide fuel for the body. More specifically, my pre-schooler's body.
The best way to do this is with a balance of carbs, fat, and protein. And chocolate. Because we need chocolate in my house. I am also That Mom who loves chocolate and why would I ever deny my kid of that joy?
I wouldn't.
Cookie dough balls are the best answer for me. I can include my kiddo in the prep, he eats them like they're going out of style, and I know he is getting good fuel for his body and brain while he plays.
Ingredients:
2 cups almond flour
1/2 cup earth balance or butter, melted
1 vanilla bean, scraped
1/3 cup sweetener of your choice (I use coconut sugar or erythritol)
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Directions:
In a medium mixing bowl, combine almond flour and sweetener. Mix thoroughly. Add melted butter and vanilla bean, then mix until crumbly. Add chocolate chips and mix a little more.
Scoop a ping pong ball-sized amount of dough into your hands and squeeze into a ball. Place on a baking sheet or plate. Refrigerate until firm.
